Coaxial reel mount

ABSTRACT

In devices such as tape recorders, moving picture projectors and the like, the reels may be mounted on a single spindle having means for selectively engaging a selected reel for purposes of takeup or rewind. Specifically, the single spindle is provided with a single actuator which has latch means which may selectively engage a notch or slot of that reel which is to be driven, and thus to have that reel function as the takeup reel, or alternatively, as the rewind reel.

United States Patent 55.l2(C),55.l3,68.3.5514. I93, 194, 210, 129.7, l29.8, 56.9, 68, 67.3, 67.4, 67.5; 274/4, ll;352/l56 [56] References Cited UNlTED STATES PATENTS 1,525,990 2/1925 Howell .242/55.l 1(C)X 1.957.884 5/1934 Green.... 242/683 FOREIGN PATENTS 375,689 5/1923 Germany 242/551 1(C) Primary ExaminerGeorge F. Mautz Attorney-John B. Dickman Ill ABSTRACT: In devices such as tape recorders. moving pic ture projectors and the like, the reels may be mounted on a single spindle having means'for selectively engaging a selected reel for purposes of takeup or rewind. Specifically, the single spindle is provided with a single actuator which has latch means which may selectively engage a notch or slot of that reel which is to be driven, and thus to have that reel function as the takeup reel, or alternatively, as the rewind reel.

ATENTED JAN 5l97| sum 1 or 2 Q *INVENTOR. K 653/12 1. l/VfDA BY Zz ATENTEDJAH 5 SHEET 2 OF 2 INVENTOR. [[542 Z. P/A/mA BY 0% 0. QM

AGE/v7:

OBJECTS t It is therefore a general object of the invention to provide a device for mounting reels, or spools, in coaxial relationship, and for driving selected reels.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide means in such a device wherein reels, or spools, may be mounted on a single driven spindle, and wherein the spindle is provided with a manually operated actuator having protrusions for engaging a notch, or slot, in a selected reel which is to be driven by the spindle. t

It is yet a further object of the presentinvention to provide means in such a device wherein the single driven spindle is provided with an actuator which 'may be controlled by a switching mechanism in the device.

It is still a further object of the invention to provide a means in such a device wherein a driven spindle may alternatively drive coaxial reels which are contained in a cartridge.

In accordance with the invention, a tape recorder for example, is provided with a single spindle which is designed to mount at least two reels in coaxial relationship. The spindle comprises a hollow shaft which is driven by a single motor, and which rotates in a given direction; The spindle is tubular and is apertured in zones which will coincide with the hubs of the reels when mounted therein. An actuator is movably contained in the hollow spindle and is provided with protrusions .or latch means, which upon movement of the actuator will move a protrusion into or out of engagement with a notch or slot of a selected reel, the protrusion or latch means moving through the apertured zones mentioned above. It is understood that the spindle will rotate in but one direction with the driven reel rotating with it. Since the so-called feed reel will then rotate freely in the opposite direction, there will be no need for certain drive wheels and braking mechanisms found in known tape recorders and the like. Thus such a device would be cheaper to manufacture; lighter in weight, and of simpler construction. Accordingly,'the device would be of general utility, and would be more compact in design.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention may best be understood, by reference to the following description taken in conjunction with the drawings, in which: I

FIG. I is a top view of a tape recorder having reels coaxially mounted on a spindle of the invention;-

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional side view of a spindle with an actuator mounted therein;

FIG. 2A is a sectional view of a modified form of the spindle and actuator shown in FIG. 2; t

FIG. 2B is an elevational view of the actuator shown in FIG. 2A turned 90 from the view in FIG. 2A;

FIG. 2C is a top plan view of the actuator of FIG. 28;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view ofthe actuator of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken on the line 4-4 of FIG. 2, showing the spindle and the actuator therein;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 5-5 of FIG. 2, showing a similar view;

FIG. 6 is a side elevation in section of another form of spindlc and actuator; i

FIG. 7 is a top plan view of the actuator shown in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken on the line 8-8 of FIG. 6. showing the spindle and the actuator therein;

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 9-9 of FIG. 6, showing a similar view;

FIG. 10 is an elevational view in section of still another spindle and actuator of the invention; 'f

FIG. 11 is a top plan view of the spindle and actuator of FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a sectional view taken on line 12-12 of FIG. 10, showing the spindle and the actuator therein;

FIG. 13 is an elevational view in and actuator of the invention;

FIG. 14 is a top plan view of the FIG. 13; I.

FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view through section 15-15 of FIG. 13, showing the spindle and the actuator therein;

FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view through section 16-16 of sectionofa further spindle spindle and actuator of FIG. 13, showing a similar view; and

FIG. 17 is a fragmentary plan view, partly in section, of a tape cartridge comprising coaxial reels together with a pressure pad and roller guides to guide the tape from one reel to the other.

DESCRIPTION In the accompanying drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates a tape deck or transport 1, having a transducer head 2, roller guides 3, and coaxially mounted lower and upper reels 4 and 5 respectively. According to the invention, reels 4 and 5 are mounted on a single spindle which is driven by a single motor, not shown. I

The reels carry a magnetic tape, have one end 6 secured to reel 4 and the other end 7 secured to reel 5, with a loop 8 guided by rollers 3 through transducer head 2.

FIG. 2 is illustrative of a spindle 11 which may be uscdfor mounting reels 4 and 5 in coaxial relationship. The spindle comprises a tubular element 12 which is .apertured at 13 and 14 for purposes to be described later. A plate 15 is secured to tubular element 12 to support the reels thereon and to locate 1 the hub of each reel at one of the apertures 13, 14.

The actuator 16 illustrated in FIG. 2 comprises a hand operated manipulator knob 17, to which is secured a length of steel wire 18, or other flexible material which is bent to provide protrusions 19 and 20. 4

When the reels are mounted on the spindle, they will occupy zones a and b as shown. When thu's positioned, aperture 13, in lower zone a, will be within the hub of reel 4. Similarly, aperture 14, in upper zone b will be within the hub of reel 5.

The protrusions 19 and 20 are so arranged that when the knob 17 is depressed as shown in FIG. 2, the protrusion 19 will extend through the opening 13 and thus will be in position to look into engagement with one of'the usual notches provided in the hubs of conventional reels. Thus if reel 4 is in locked engagement with the spindle, this reel will function as the takeup reel. When it is desired to rewind the tape to reel 5, the knob 17 would then be manipulated to allow protrusion 20 to extend through the opening 14 to thusengagc a notch in reel 5.

With the knob 17 so positioned, the protrusion 19 would now be within-the confines of the tubular element 12 to allow free rotation of reel 4. Ifdesired, bearing means may be positioned above plate 15 and between the reels to facilitate their rotation in a direction opposite to one another. I

The actuator 161: shown in FIGS. 2A, 2B and 2C is similar to the actuator of FIG. 2, with the actuator knob being larger and having a concave middle portion so that it may be more easily grasped and also having depending guide fingers 17b attached to its lower surface. These fingers allow the actuator to move in and out of the spindleon the same axis and act as guides for the wire 18a so that wire protrusions 19a and 20a can move in and out of engagement with the reels as desired. I

FIG. 6 is illustrative of a spindle 21 which includes a tubular element 22 which houses an actuator 26 comprising a hand operated knob 27 with a steel wire 28 rotatably secured thereto. The tubular element 22 is apertured at 23 and 24. the

with a plate 35 secured thereto, and a manipulator 36. The tubular element 32 is provided with a single aperture 33 extending into both zones at and b, thus permitting the protrusion 39 to engage either the upper reel or the lower reel. As in the spindle of FIG. 2, manipulation is by a simple longitudinal motion of the actuator.

FIG. 13 shows a spindle 41 which is also operable by longitudinal movement of the actuator, and which may be operated by the mechanisms of a tape deck or the like. The spindle is provided with a reel support plate 45, and the actuator 46 comprises protrusions 49 and 50 which are spaced on the steel wire element 48. By longitudinal movement, the protrusions may engage notches in the reels by protruding through the spaced apertures 43 and 44.

The spindle construction described above may be used with a reel cartridge such as shown in FIG. 17 of the drawings. The reel cartridge 51 comprises a housing 52 for two reels therein. As shown, the reels 54 and 55 are in coaxial alignment. Roller guides 53 and pressure pad 56 are provided to guide the tape 57, 58 from one reel to another. When a cartridge 51 is positioned on a spindle of the invention, manipulation of the actuator will then move a protrusion into one of the notches of the coaxially mounted reels.

By having a single spindle driven by a single motor to rotate always in the same direction, certain drive wheels and braking mechanisms may be eliminated, resulting in greater simplification and economy. In addition, by using a single spindle, operation is simplified, and, since additional spindles, motors, etc. are not needed, a tape deck or transport would be most compact and light weight.

While the foregoing has illustrated and described the principles of the invention, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, andaccordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to falling within the scope of the invention as claimed.

lclaim:

1. Apparatus for removably mounting and driving coaxial reels having hub opening with locking notches therein:

a. a rotatable spindle;

b. a reel support on the spindle for mounting reels in coaxial relationship; I

c. said spindle being apertured in zones corresponding to the hubs of the reels when mounted thereon;

d. actuator means in the spindle with protrusion means for selective engagement with notches in the hubs ol'the reels; i

e. the actuator comprises a knob having depending fingers and depending actuator means having protrusions thereon; 1

said fingers adapted for slidable 'rriov'e ment in and out of said spindle; and i g. said fingers acting as guides tors d actuator means to prevent lateral movement thereof.

2. Apparatus for removably mounting and driving coaxial reels having hub openings with locking notches therein:'

a. a'rotatable spindle;

b. a reel support on the spindle for mounting reels in coaxial relationship; t

c. said spindle being apertured in zones corresponding to the hubs of the reels when mounted thereon;

d. actuator means in the spindle with protrusion means for selective engagement with'notehes in the hubs of the reels; and

c. said actuator means and said protrusion means being a single length of steel wire bend to form the actuator means and protrusion means.

3. A device as claimed in claim 2 wherein:

a. the spindle is apertured in each zone of each hub of the reels when mounted thereon; and b. said protrusion means comprising separate protrusions for each reel, and which are longitudinally spaced for selective engagement with a notch in the hub of a selective reel.

4. The subject matter of claim 2 wherein:

a. the spindle is provided'with a longitudinal aperture tending into the zones of the hubs of 'thereels when mounted thereon; and 1 b. said protrusion means comprising separate protrusions for each reel, and which are angularly positioned, and

hub ofa selected reel.

longitudinally spaced, for engagement with a notch in the 

1. Apparatus for removably mounting and driving coaxial reels having hub opening with locking notches therein: a. a rotatable spindle; b. a reel support on the spindle for mounting reels in coaxial relationship; c. said spindle being apertured in zones corresponding to the hubs of the reels when mounted thereon; d. actuator means in the spindle with protrusion means for selective engagement with notches in the hubs of the reels; e. the actuator comprises a knob having depending fingers and depending actuator means having protrusions thereon; f. said fingers adapted for slidable movement in and out of said spindle; and g. said fingers acting as guides for said actuator means to prevent lateral movement thereof.
 2. Apparatus for removably mounting and driving coaxial reels having hub openings with locking notches therein: a. a rotatable spindle; b. a reel support on the spindle for mounting reels in coaxial relationship; c. said spindle being apertured in zones corresponding to the hubs of the reels when mounted thereon; d. actuator means in the spindle with protrusion means for selective engagement with notches in the hubs of the reels; and e. said actuator means and said protrusion means being a single length of steel wire bend to form the actuator means and protrusion means.
 3. A device as claimed in claim 2 wherein: a. the spindle is apertured in each zone of each hub of the reels when mounted thereon; and b. said protrusion means comprising separate protrusions for each reel, and which are longitudinally spaced for selective engagement with a notch in the hub of a selective reel.
 4. The subject matter of claim 2 wherein: a. the spindle is provided with a longitudinal aperture extending into the zones of the hubs of the reels when mounted thereon; and b. said protrusion means comprising separate protrusions for each reel, and which are angularly positioned, and longitudinally spaced, for engagement with a notch in the hub of a selected reel. 